Expressing the play (or lash) in rotation as a distance can be confusing. If you're measuring that distance at the pinion shaft, a 1/4" is a huge amount of play, if you're measuring that distance at the edge of the tires, that's a tiny amount of play.
Driveshafts, there should be no, to almost no perceivable play in rotation. There is play in shaft length, cause the shafts are designed to change length as the suspension articulates up and down.
The differentials, from the spider gears in them, will have a bit of play, more than a few degrees but less than 10 or 15. A 1/4" at the outside edge of the yoke or driveshaft hub sounds about right.
The automatic transmission, is hard to tell and even harder with a xfr case, since their lash combines.
The XFR case, I don't really know the spec, I just know my NV140 (QTI) has more lash than I would expect. Like 1" or more at the driveshaft hubs. That might be normal, because the XFR case uses a chain and Sprague clutch.
The XFR case should let the front driveshaft spin faster than the rear (unpowered) that prevents the front axle from back- driving the drivetrain, which can cause instability and undesirable reactions. When the front axle slows down, the Sprague clutch grabs again and transmits power to the front again, you crest a hill and start rolling forward with the drivetrain back driving or engine braking the vehicle, as the front driveshaft tries to back-drive the drivetrain, the Sprague clutch will disengage and let it spin free NOT transmitting any power.
No, part time 4WD, that locks the front/rear driveshafts at the same speed doesn't have Sprague clutches, these effects aren't nearly as bad as the fact the front/rear driveshafts are locked at the same speed. Since Full Time 4WD has to drive around on paved roads at high speeds, NOT only do you need a differential in the XFR case, but also a Sprague clutch to disconnect the front drivetrain in back-drive situations, for smooth operation and keeping tires in contact with the paved surface. I don't know for a fact, but I imagine the QTII and QDII, when you go into 4LOW that locks the center differential, that likely also locks the Sprague clutch.